Environmental experts have raised concerns over what they describe as the rapid expansion of lithium mining in Nasarawa State and other parts of Nigeria, warning of serious environmental and public health risks if regulatory oversight is not strengthened.
Lithium extraction is reportedly increasing not only in Nasarawa but also in Niger State, Benue State, Kogi State and Kaduna State. Although comprehensive public data on the scale of operations is limited, the Federal Government recently disclosed that lithium royalties more than tripled in 2024 compared to 2023. The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has designated lithium as a strategic mineral and plans to commission at least two major processing plants, including a proposed $600 million facility near the Niger–Kaduna border, reportedly backed largely by Chinese funding.
Industry estimates suggest lithium projects have attracted up to $1.3 billion in investments over the past two years. However, residents in communities near Toto in Nasarawa say the rush for lithium is already affecting their environment and livelihoods. Farming settlements that depend on rivers and groundwater now sit close to mining and processing sites driven by global demand for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage.
Residents report persistent dust pollution and concerns over wastewater discharge, expressing uncertainty about long-term health effects. Environmental scholar Chukwumerije Okereke warned that unregulated expansion could expose host communities to degradation. He identified water pollution by heavy metals, air quality deterioration, land degradation, deforestation, and tailings seepage as major risks. He questioned whether Environmental and Social Impact Assessments had been properly conducted and publicly disclosed.
Similarly, Philip Jakpor of the Renevlyn Development Initiative cautioned that poorly managed lithium processing could contaminate soil and underground water. He noted that streams in Toto flow into the Benue River, raising fears of downstream ecological consequences.
Residents including Aisha Abdullahi and Abubakar Aliyu described changes in water quality and recurring illnesses, while Suleiman Doma warned of structural risks from excavation activities.
Stakeholders are calling for stricter enforcement, transparent impact assessments, and stronger community engagement to prevent what experts fear could become a new “resource curse.”
